Four of us did the Rae Lakes Loop last September in 4 days clockwise from Roads End after not backpacking for 30+ years. I was the youngest at 47. Great side trips available on this one if you have more days. Views were spactacular - Fin Dome and Painted Lady at sunrise.
The Onion Valley hike to Rae Lakes from the East as suggested earlier would have lots of side options. Especially if you can get picked up at Roads End.

OK so after much deliberation and research I believe I have locked on a plan. With the intent of less miles, sufficient adventure and passing through as many scenic areas as possible in seven days.

We start in North Lake and travel over the Lamarck Col and into Evolution Basin. Over Muir Pass and down into LeConte Canyon and up to Palisade Lakes, wrapping up with a traverse thru Palisades Basin to Dusy Basin and ending at South Lake via Bishop Pass.

I was considering a trip down to Goddard Canyon and back to the JMT with a trip thru Ionian Basin, but felt to travel less miles and go thru the Evolution Basin and allow for time to take the JMT to Palisades Lake and Basin. Any thoughts on a trip thru Ionian and jettisoning the southern swing to Palisades Lake/Basin?

Anyone have a guess as to how much snow should there be over Lamarck in late June?

lost in texas wrote:OK so after much deliberation and research I believe I have locked on a plan. With the intent of less miles, sufficient adventure and passing through as many scenic areas as possible in seven days.

We start in North Lake and travel over the Lamarck Col and into Evolution Basin. Over Muir Pass and down into LeConte Canyon and up to Palisade Lakes, wrapping up with a traverse thru Palisades Basin to Dusy Basin and ending at South Lake via Bishop Pass.

I was considering a trip down to Goddard Canyon and back to the JMT with a trip thru Ionian Basin, but felt to travel less miles and go thru the Evolution Basin and allow for time to take the JMT to Palisades Lake and Basin. Any thoughts on a trip thru Ionian and jettisoning the southern swing to Palisades Lake/Basin?

Anyone have a guess as to how much snow should there be over Lamarck in late June?

Ionian Basin is very scenic in a savagely wild way (the only drawback is that all of the lakes are fishless). It is however very rugged off trail backpacking (it has been said there is absolutely nothing flat in Ionian Basin and I would second that) and a route that way would certainly take more time than your southern swing. Lamarck may have quite a bit of snow, but it won't be a technical issue. It may make things more of a slog if the sun cups are well developed and the snowfields to be crossed are extensive.

We start in North Lake and travel over the Lamarck Col and into Evolution Basin. Over Muir Pass and down into LeConte Canyon and up to Palisade Lakes, wrapping up with a traverse thru Palisades Basin to Dusy Basin and ending at South Lake via Bishop Pass.

I remember watching a couple trying to decend the east side of Potluck Pass and getting all messed up in the benches to the north part of the pass (the rt is more to the south side). We tried to call out to them that they were going the wrong way - but they couldn't seem to hear us. They made it, but had to use ropes to get down the last bit.

I agree with Brookie about Ionian Basin. I happen to love it, but it is very severe, moon-like, all metamorphic rock.

I think you will get more enjoyment out of your Palisade Basin arc. The northeast side of Upper Barrett Lake has some stunning camp areas.

As far as the beginning goes, getting over Lamarck Col on your first day out, with packs full and lungs unacclimated, can be tough. There is a campable tarn right before it if you can stand the altitude.

Evolution Lake is one of my favorite spots. I recommend camping on the little peninsula with two humps, either between the humps, or, even better, out on the end of the peninsula.